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Consumer prices to stay put, dept says
The Internal Trade Department will continue to put the brakes on consumer goods prices in the second quarter, despite an increase in the fuel tariff (FT) for electricity fees by 20-30 satang per unit in May-August.
Department deputy director-general Pussadee Kampanthong said the slight increase in electricity costs should not cause higher costs for consumers. The major costs for producers are raw materials, energy and the cost of labour, but the department is not yet allowing manufacturers to increase retail prices in the wake of the higher FT costs.
In addition, the department yesterday agreed with swine traders to sell pork at Bt100-Bt115 per kilogram after traders in some areas were found selling pork at inflated prices, despite strong supply. – The Nation
HomePro opens in Trang
Home Products Centre has opened its 46th HomePro centre, in Trang province. Costing more than Bt420 million, the store, located on Rassada Road, is expected to generate sales of about Bt36 million per month.
Nath Jaritchana, executive vice president for marketing, said the store will target customers in Trang province itself as well as in Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung and Satun. It allows the company to expand its sales and distribution network covering the southern part of Thailand.
He said the HomePro store in Trang province has total retail area of more than 8,200 square metres, of which 7,500 sqm is allocated to selling home-furnishing, decorative and DIY products, and 700 sqm comprises areas for lease by other vendors, including Bangkok Bank, Se-Ed Book Centre, MK, Kitchen Plus, Makoto and Top Charoen optical store.
Nath said about 45 per cent of customers are new homebuyers shopping for home furnishings, while the remainder are looking to replace existing items. About 90 per cent of customers are homeowners, and 6 per cent are project developers and contractors. – The Nation
Lao bourse plans e-trading
The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) and Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao (ETL) Public Company have signed an agreement to introduce a Home Trade System, which will allow investors to trade stocks electronically.
The LSX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ETL on Friday agreeing to develop the infrastructure necessary to operate the Home Trade System via the Internet.
Once in place, the computerised stock-trading system will allow investors to post orders to buy or sell stocks at any time or place. The system is expected to be operational by the middle of this year at the latest.
The agreement was signed by LSX chairman and CEO Dethphouvang Moularat and ETL CEO Khammouane Xomsithapanya in Vientiane yesterday.
Dethphouvang said the introduction of the online stock trading system would encourage both local and foreign investors to invest more heavily in the Lao market. “It is faster, easier and more convenient, so I think that it will boost trading in the market.” – Vientiane Times/ANN
